EECI raises nearly 1,000 guests with Sheila E. and Jeffrey Osborne at Summer of Soul 2026

The Entrepreneur Educational Center, Inc. brought nearly 1,000 people to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts for its 2nd Annual Summer of Soul fundraiser during BET weekend. The event mixed live performances, civic recognition, and sponsorship support to fund entrepreneurship training and workforce development in underserved Los Angeles communities.

Why it matters: - Summer of Soul 2026 was designed to fund EECI’s entrepreneurship education and workforce development work in Southern California. - Proceeds support training, mentorship, and programs aimed at improving economic mobility in low-to-moderate-income Los Angeles communities. - The event also showed how entertainment, government, and business partners can combine around community development.

What happened: - The Entrepreneur Educational Center, Inc. hosted its 2nd Annual Summer of Soul 2026 fundraiser at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles County. - Nearly 1,000 guests attended the event. - The night took place during BET weekend. - EECI opened with a VIP reception that drew representatives from Saint Lawrence, Pacific City Bank, Enterprise Bank, National City Bank, GBC International Bank, Stan Jackson Properties, Popeyes Restaurants, UC Irvine, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Dive N’ Surf, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor, KJLH Radio, 94.7 The Wave and the City of Los Angeles. - EECI honored California State Assemblymember Mike Gipson for years of service to the 65th Assembly District. - U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters addressed the crowd and praised EECI’s work on education and workforce pathways.

The details: - Rising Latin artist MKY opened the show with a soulful set. - Sheila E., a six-time Grammy nominee, followed with a high-energy performance centered on percussion and tributes to her musical influences. - Jeffrey Osborne performed through the audience, turning the venue into a more intimate concert experience. - Osborne backed his set with a touring band and played songs from his solo catalog, L.T.D. hits and material from A Time for Love. - Osborne also paid tribute to the late George Duke during the show. - Guests spent much of the evening dancing and singing, turning the fundraiser into a shared celebration. - EECI said the event also marked the start of its annual fundraising season. - Barbara Stanton, EECI’s executive director, said the fundraiser supports programs in business development, diving education and environmental training. - Ed Rice, EECI board chairman, said the event created momentum for education, workforce development and future leaders. - Curren Price Jr. said the event highlighted music, art and community as a force for unity.

Between the lines: - The guest list signals broad institutional support for EECI’s mission, including financial institutions, public agencies, media outlets and universities. - The recognition of Gipson and the remarks from Waters and Price framed the fundraiser as both a cultural event and a civic one. - EECI positioned the event as part of a larger strategy to link arts programming with long-term community investment.

What's next: - EECI leadership said the organization is planning for a larger Summer of Soul 2027. - EECI will continue using event proceeds to support entrepreneurship training, mentorship and workforce development initiatives. - More information about EECI programs and upcoming events is available here. - EECI also shared its Instagram account at Instagram.

The bottom line: - Summer of Soul 2026 used star power to raise money and visibility for a local workforce and entrepreneurship pipeline with community impact at its core.